Over a decade ago, Vietnamese programmer and video game artist Dong Nguyen launched what many believe to be one of the most iconic games to ever be listed on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store; Flappy Bird. On May 23, 2013, the side-scrolling title made its way onto the Cupertino firm’s mobile platform, and saying that it became addictive is a severe understatement.
Unfortunately for those who got hooked on Flappy Bird, Nguyen took it down less than a year later, believing it to be too distracting for users. Here, we take a trip down memory lane and discuss how one heck of a rollercoaster ride this game was and how it simultaneously garnered a barrage of criticism and popularity.
Flappy Bird’s development was completed in just two to three days and was removed later because the creator believed that the game became a ‘problem’
Nguyen was inspired by the complexity of games such as Angry Birds. He wanted to create something simple that catered to people who were continuously on the move and wanted to take a breather in between. That is how Flappy Bird was born, and it took just two to three days to complete. The game initially launched for the iPhone 5 and was updated for iOS 7 in September 2013.
Within just a few months, Flappy Bird attracted millions of players and became one of the top free applications listed in the U.S. and Chinese app stores. Of course, Nguyen did not want Android smartphone owners feeling left out, so the game was officially released on Google’s Play Store on January 30, 2014. Nguyen spoke with The Verge, stating that Flappy Bird brought in $50,000 in revenue daily through in-game advertising. That is definitely a nice chunk of change for someone who was barely in his 20s at the time.
However, after witnessing the addictive nature of Flappy Bird, the developer decided that enough was enough. On February 8, 2014, the game was pulled from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store. Nguyen later sat down with Forbes and mentioned the following as the reason for de-listing Flappy Bird:
“Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed. But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it's best to take down Flappy Bird. It's gone forever.”
Despite millions being hooked, Flappy Bird has its fair share of criticisms, with some stating that it lacked impressive visuals and had jerky movement. Others mentioned that no skill was required to play the game, and it was just a short-term distraction for players obsessed with attaining a high score. Shortly after its removal, phones did not take long to get listed on eBay for $1,499 with Flappy Bird pre-installed, with some receiving bids of over $9,000.
If that was not enough, Flappy Bird’s inception and removal resulted in the creation of a multitude of clones that not only matched the visual representation of the game but also its mechanics. Needless to say, the incredibly popular app could probably get its own documentary, as that is the legacy it left behind. One can only wonder what the game’s creator, Nguyen, is up to at this time.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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